What a session. Stokes and Rashid were irresistible. That is the best I have seen Rashid bowl, his body language looked sooo positive and he was really directing the field at the end, he was buzzing! Huge variation in England’s attack at the moment.

Come on openers, let’s have some solidity here. I’m starting to root for Jennings, his fielding and the way he has taken on that short leg position suggests he is very much a team man.

I have really enjoyed watching the games I have managed. The top teams are ace, really skilful. The West Indies play like the men’s team from the glory days, sad they are out, I loved watching them smashing the ball to all parts.

Still creaming myself over today’s play. It’s been a while since I have seen England take the game away from the opposition away from home like that, they still need to go on tomorrow and consolidate but blimey, this afternoon felt really quite different. There have been various innings where Sri Lanka have been winkled out this series but today England really attacked. After the big partnership was broken Stokes projected a ‘we are going to smash you’ attitude which set the team alight. The depth and variation of the bowling is really something at the moment and backed up by great fielding, the combo of Stokes and Rashid was irresistible. It’s another string to their bow, a different way of playing. Great to see that they want to take all three tests, England teams usually relax once a series is won.
You have to give a thumbs-up to Ed Smith for bringing Rashid in from the cold-and it isn’t the only selection he has got right. Rashid has been good this tour but today, he was bloody brilliant! He visibly grew as the wickets tumbled. I really hope he can bottle that feeling. At the end of his spell he was absolutely ripping it with a tight line and length. I have never seen England have a spin bowler who could do that.

The introduction of Stone or Jamie Overton for some proper pace soon (Windies tour?) is maybe another step towards the Ashes. Incidentally, Broad - with a modified run up and delivery - was up around ninety mph today and was unlucky not to take a few. He still seems to have a bit of fuel in the tank.

I apologise for gushing but I’m really excited by this lot. They are well selected and managed, motivated and talented. They need to keep it going.

I will, but it’s not just about that. You’re right about T20 cricket being seen as more important than test cricket. Simply, money talks and Oz have suffered by embracing that format.

However, England have used it to their advantage. Buttler was thrown into the 5 day game on the back of his limited overs form and that has worked. Rashid had given up red ball cricket, but has come back and looks tremendous.

You need to take the positives from T20/50 over cricket and use them to your advantage, instead of moaning that the format has ruined test cricket.